No More Learning

Sydney walked about the little garden
with her daughters, and endeavoured to
compose her agitated spirits* By the
tender assiduities of Isabel, and the art-
less chat of Rose, aided by those self ex-
ertions which can best fortify the mind,
she gradually became tranquil.
Mr. Blandford, when he quitted her,
reflected seriously upon her apparently
destitute situation--a situation in which
the , relics of clergymen are too fre-
quently and unavoidably placed. With
an income barely sufficient to supply the
demands of their family, and compelled
to preserve the rank and appearance of
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? SKETCHES OF YOUTH.
21
gentlemen, a provision for that family can
seldom be made from means that so slen-
derly provide even for its exigencies.
Brought up in seclusion and innocence,
educated with tenderness and delicacy,
their offspring are, . at their decease,
"thrown into the world to earn the bitter
morsel of dependence, while the widow
pines in neglect, poverty, and obscurity!
As these reflections pressed upon his
mind, Mr. Blandford considered what
might be the best means of serving Mrs.
Sydney and her children. He had a
friend who was a governor of an institution
for the relief of clergymen's widows and
orphans, and to him he thought of repre-
senting her situation, should Mrs. Sydney
sanction the proposal. From his own
purse he did not presume to offer assist-
ance, until authorised by further acquain-
tance.
The next morning he again called at
her house, and found her conversing with
her daughter, who had been reading to
her, "I have called, madam," said Mr.
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? 22 ROSE AND EMILY; OS,
Blandford, " to enquire after your health. *
At present you appear too weak to sup.
port conversation without fatigue ; there-
fore you will excuse my leaving you al-
most immediately. " "You take too
warm an interest in my situation," re-
plied Mrs. Sydney, " to listen to my re-
cital without suffering, and I fear I tres-
passed unwarrantably upon your feelings
yesterday; but sympathy is so soothing
to the'afflicted, that we often indulge our-
selves at the expence of others. . Our
morning has hitherto been more cheerful
than usual, and my dear girls have amused
me by their reading and observations;
favour us, therefore, with your company
for half an hour. "
Mr. Blandford took a seat, and Rose
crept to his side. He placed her on his
knee, and enquired what book she had
been reading. "Pity's Gift," she re-
plied. "And can you read without
spelling? " O yes; I have read a long
time without spelling--I cannot remem-
ber how long. " "Do not boast too
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? SKETCHES OF YOUTH.
much, mydea: Rose. "s? ;. ? babel smiling;
<<* you read very prettily for a. little girl,
but . sometime 3, you know, you are rather
puzzled. " "Oil, when I meet with any
very long word, which I do not under-
stand. " "Will you read to me? " said
Mr. Blandford. Hose, proud of being
asked to read to a gentleman, and a little
piqued at Isabel's observation, began in
her very best manner the beautiful and
affecting story of the can? ry, and read it
so distinctly, and with so naturrl an em-
phasis, that Mr. Blandford bestowed upon
her the praise she merited. Rose blushed
with pleasure, and turned an eye of
triumph on Isabel. "Admirably read
indeed, my sweet girl," he continued;
u did mamma teach you to read thus ? '*
"Yes, and papa too; and when I read
well, he always kissed me and called me
Rosa. " Mrs. Sydney turned away her
face, to conceal the starting tear, which
Mr. Blandford observing, he endeavoured
to change the subject. "How old are
you Rose? " "I am eight--my birth-day is
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? '24; HOSE AND EHfoliY } OK,
on the first of May, and the little girls of
the village always bring me a garland at
flowers; but I did not wear the last, be-
cause we were very unhappy. " "For-
bear, my Rose," said Isabel in a whis-
per; "do not you see you distress our
poor mamma? " "Do I," said Rose,
and running to her, threw her arms
round her neck, and kissed off the tears
that were stealing down her cheek. "It
is a string easily touched," said Mrs.
Sydney to Isabel, who was gently chiding
Rose for having excited painful recol-
lections, " and when touched it is long
ere it ceases to vibrate. If I should not'
weary you with the recital," addressing
herself to Mr. Blandford, " I would now
finish the little narrative of my past
years ; but say candidly,- . shall I engage
too much of your time, or. iir. . jose too
heavy a tax upon your politeness? "
Mr. Blandford, who anxiously wished
to hear the conclusion of her domestic
history, but. who forbore to urge that?
which m;^ht recall images of sorrow,
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? SKETCHES OF YOUTH- 25
assured her he should think his time well
spent in listening to her; and as an idle
man he should even thank her for en-
gaging it; but as one interested in her
situation, he could not devote it in any
other way so much to his own satis-
faction.
"My tears," said Mrs. Sydney, " were
still flowing for the death of my beloved
husband, when intelligence reached me
of that of my son; but * thy will be
done,'" said she lifting her eyes to
Heaven. "Grief, I fear is egotistic,
and this subject, once resumed, I shall
find it difficult to relinquish.
"The period of my greatest felicity
was that when Mr. Sydney and myself
cultivated our children's minds, and en-
deavoured to train them to every virtue.
Parental fondness saw, with pride and
satisfaction, these attempts were not in
vain. My boy, four years older than
Isabel, received an education from his
father as regularly as if he had been at a
school; but the retirement in which we
c
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? 26 ROSE AND EMILY; OR,
lived was not calculated to give his man-
ners that ease which boys who mix in
general society readily acquire--a bash-
fulness, which we called modesty--a re-
serve, which we denominated diffidence
--a tenderness of manner the most en-
dearing, and an undeviating adherence
to truth, marked his character; but the
partiality of parents frequently leads them
to judge erroneously. This we knew in
theory, but could not persuade ourselves
we practised, till a friend, whom we had
not seen for many years, paid us a visit.
His own boys were at a public school,
and he contrasted the retiring manners
of my son with the ease of theirs. He
remarked that his abilities were good,
his acquirements great for his age, but
his address was too gentle, and his ideas
too simple; he required a certain confi-
dence and spirit, which the society of
boys of his own age alone could give
. him. He offered to exert his interest
to place him on the foundation at Eton,
and we at length sacrificed the fond feel-
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? SKETCHES OF YOUTH. 27
ings of affection, which would retain a
beloved object ever in sight, to his appa-
rent interest, his worldly advantages!
We flattered ourselves (what will not
parents flatter themselves with! ) that he
would soon be distinguished for his abi-
lities, and become an ornament to any
circle in which he was destined to move.
This idea made it appear almost a crime
to refuse him the opportunities of im-
provement that were now offered, and
we yielded to the persuasions of our
friend, who faithfully performed every
promise; nor were our hopes and expec-
tations of our son disappointed. Trained
up from infancy in the duties of religion,
and the exercise of every moral virtue,
he went to a public school protected by
the surest shield that could oppose its
vices. His application to his studies
rendered him a favourite with his tutors,
and his good humour gained him the
love of his school-fellows. In the holi-
days, when he returned home, how did
'? our hearts exidt to see this cbTd of our
C3
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? 28
ROSE AND EMILY; OR,
hopes adorned with all those mental
graces that give superiority to the man,
the tender affections that shed an endear-
ing charm over the son and brother, the
charities that characterise the christian,
and, pardon a mother's weakness, all the
personal qualifications that can adorn a
human being.
At school he formed an acquaintance
with a young nobleman, which increased
to an intimate friendship. Lord L
entered the army, and on my son's quit-
ting school, offered him, through the in-
terest of his father, a commission in the
same regiment, which was destined for
foreign service. It was a profession
which neither Mr. Sydney nor myself
wished him to embrace; but the patron-
age of a nobleman whose virtues added a
lustre to his rank, and the honour con-
ferred by such friendship, inspired hopes,
possibly too ambitious, and parental ap-
prehensions were hushed as weaknesses.
"My son, happy to obtain our consent,
poured out his acknowledgments. ^ terms
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? SKETCHES OF YOUTH. 29
so ardent, as to convince us, that had
our consent been withheld, how great
would have been his disappointment;
and having rendered him happy, we be-
came so ourselves. We knew he had
entered a path strewed with dangers, but
the same Almighty Power that watched
over his infancy, would equally protect
him in manhood--in the field of battle as
on his pillow ; and to his care, in humble
confidence, we committed our treasure.
The expences attending a public edu-
cation, though regulated with the strict-
est economy, were yet more than our
slender finances could defray; and
though we made every possible retrench-
ment in our family, we were obliged to
have recourse to the little sum which
had annually been set apart as a future
provision for our children. At this time
also our worthy rector died, and the
gentleman who succeeded him, we found
a very different character.
The stipend Mr Sydney had received
from his predecessor, he considered as
c3
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? 80
ROSE ANil EMILY; OH,
too large for a retired curate, in a parish
composed of such humble inhabitants.
My husband urged the double duty. Dr,
Blake desired him to omit one sermon.
Mr. Sydney doubted whether the pa-
rishioners would be satisfied with it, hav-
ing been accustomed to two. This was
an argument of little avail--' They need
not be consulted upon the subject, they
must submit, and were he to reside there
himself, it should be so. ' 'But I, Sir,'
said Mr. Sydney, ' have lived here up-
wards of sixteen years, and; I should be
sorry to make an alteration which might
occasion a murmur amongst them. ' 'You
have been in the habit of humouring
them too much,' replied the Doctor,
c I fear,' said my husband, * it is a habit
I cannot easily lay aside--old habits are
rather obstinate ones. ' 'Well then,' re-
plied Dr. Blake, ' if yon nill give them
two sermons on a Sunday, one must be
your own present; for I have now an
application from a young man for this
very curacy, who would adopt the plan I
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? SKETCHES OF YOUTH.
31
propose, and be glad to accept it at ten
pounds a. year less than I offer you; but in
consideration of your long residence in the
parish, I am desirous you should remain;
and, 1 must repeat, if you will read two
sermons on a Sunday, one must be gratis. '
? Be it so then,' replied my husband*, with
a grave accent; * if fifteen pounds a-year
must be abridged from my salary, my
parishioners shall not suffer for it. ' 'You
do not understand me, I fear, Mr. Syd-
ney,' said the Doctor in a softer tone;
'in this proposed alteration, I do not
consider myself solely, but my successor,
whom I should injure, by giving the same
exorbitant stipend to a curate which my
predecessor did. You perceive he has
injured me; for I cannot attempt any
innovation without giving offence to you
pr the parishioners.
We should always
seriously reflect before we establish a
precedent; besides, I really cannot af-
ford such a salary. ' 'I then beg your
pardon, Sir,' replied Mr. Sydney; 'but
I understood you had another living, a
c4
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? 32 ROSE AND EMILY; OR,
sinecure also in Devonshire, and no fa-
mily. ' ? Very true, my good Sir, very
true ; but I have many relations--I must
live in a certain rank; Mrs. Blake has
great connexions; I must subscribe to
charities. ' * Oh Sir,' interrupted my
husband, * I wish not to enquire into
what channels your money flows. I must
be perfectly satisfied with the reasons
you have alleged for reducing my salary,
and I entirely understand the terms on
which I hold the curacy. ' The Doctor
bowed, and Mr. Sydney took his leave.
"On quitting the village, some poor
presented themselves at the door of his
carriage, to make their humble obeisance
to their new rector, and solicit some
charitable donation, which they had
been accustomed to receive; but he
drew up the glass, and ordered the post-
boy to drive on. Lest, Sir, said Mrs.
Sydney, you should think this sketch of
Dr. Blake heightened by a little malevo-
lence (a quality I trust I am free from,)
enquire in the parish, and you will find it
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? SKETCHES OF YOUTH: 33
is not exaggerated. He comes annually
to receive his tythes; but neither po-
verty, age, or sickness, is admitted as a
plea to justify the slightest petition, and
he leaves the village unblessing and un-
blest.
"This reduction in our income was, in
one so limited, sensibly felt; but we and
our children were healthy; our son was
happy in his profession, and the parish
loved us. They knew the sacrifice my
husband had made for them, and they
endeavoured to evince their gratitude by
new tokens of respect and attention;
our table was almost supplied by the li-
berality of these honest people, and they
considered our acceptance of their little
gifts a favour; we were at peace with
oy/selves, and in charity with all man-
kind; but every thing has its appointed
time--my husband's race was nearly run,
and he arrived at the goal ere I thought
he had passed the centre.
"A lew weeks after his death, I re-
ceived the afflicting intelligence of my
cs
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? 34 ROSE AND ESULY; Ott,
son's. His friend communicated to me
the melancholy tidings, and in terms so
gentle and soothing, as to mitigate (had
it admitted of mitigation) the pain of
such information.
"Already bowed to the dust by one
calamity, I could not sink lower; but
the weight has fallen more heavily, and it
will be long ere I can raise up my head
again, and look cheerfully around me;
yet still I hope to do it; again I hope to
perform my duties to society, and to
these dear children. I know the claims
both have upon mer and that I ought
not to yield to the weakness of repinings,
but look up with humble confidence to
that Being who ever in his judgments re-
membereth mercy.
"Dr. Blake was impatient to have us
leave the parsonage, intending, he said,
to make some alterations in it. One of
our worthy neighbours, Farmer Bloom-
field, lent us this cottage, which was just
vacant, and to which I removed some of
my furniture; and here I shall remain a
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? SKETCHES OF YOUTH. 35
few weeks longer, until I enter upon a
plan which I have formed for my future
support. "
Mrs. Sydney ceased, and Mr. Bland-
ford thanking her for her unreserved
communication, wiped away a tear which
had unconsciously stolen down his cheek
during her recital. "I, madam," he
said, "am a being of whim, and I con-
gratulate myself that one of my whims
has been the means of introducing me
to your family. " He then briefly told
her he had conceived a disgust to. the
metropolis, and had become a temporary
resident of the village for the sake
of change. He again expressed an ear-
nest desire to assist her, and added--*< If
I dare flatter myself the services, such as
I could-offer, wqukl be acceptablet; and
that I should not be presuming too much
upon our short acquaintance, I should
request permission to procure a donation
to which your misfortune has entitled
you. " "I understand you. Sir," replied
. Mrs Sydney, "and for my children's
c6
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? 36
ROSE AND EMILY; OR,
sake I could not refuse what would con-
tribute to their comfort as well as my
own. Did any petty pride lift me above
the acceptance of a benefaction "bestowed
by a charitable institution, these dear
objects of my anxiety would suppress it-
No, Sir, I do not reject your friendly of-
fer; but on the contrary shall esteem
myself gratefully your debtor. The re-
lics of clergymen are seldom in affluent,
or even in easy circumstances; and I
own a very small sum remains of that
produced by the sale of some of our books
and furniture. Ill health has hitherto pre-
vented my commencing a plan which I
have formed for our support; but I look
forward to its accomplishment in a few
weeks, for I must not remain in idleness. "
"For your daughters, too," said Mr.
Blandford, " I could obtain assistance,
if you would consent to part with them.
There is a fund for placing them in re-
spectable situations, where they may ac-
quire a knowledge of some business
which will enable them to support them-
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? SKETCHES OF YOUTH. 37'
selves. " "Forbear, my good Sir," said
Mrs. Sydney eagerly, " to speak on this
subject. I am grateful for your inten-
tions, but my daughters must remain
with me--I cannot part with them, who
are the only treasures left me on earth.
Oh no! whatever be our fate, we must
share it together; speak not again, I con-
jure you, of any divided plans. " Mr.
Blandford apologised for having uninten-
tionally wounded her, and added --
"May I enquire, madam, what is the
design you have formed for the future;
for though a stranger, I feel for you the
interest of a friend. " "It is my inten-
tion," replied Mrs. Sydney, " to hire a
small house or apartments at B , and
take day scholars. Isabel, though young,
has yet some knowledge to impart; her
father delighted to teach her, and she
- will assist me. You are now, Sir, in
possession of my past and present life;
the future is in the hands of him who
gave it; if good awaits me, may I be
grateful; if evil, submissive. "
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? 38 HOSE AND EMILY; OK,
Impressed with pity for the sorrows,
and respect for. the virtues of Mrs. Syd-
ney, Mr. BlandfOrd took his. leave. On
returning to his own house, his thoughts
rested on the amiable family which he
had quitted. The narrow-heartedness
of human nature he again inveighed
against in the mercenary conduct of Dr.
Blake; but the truly simple, pious^ and
christian character of Mr. Sydney claim-
ed his warmest admiration. He reflect-
ed on the plan Mrs. Sydney had men-
tioned to him for her future support.
To teach little girls, perhaps only at six-
pence a wcek,he considered a degradation
to one whose manners and conversation
were of a superior order. He had the
pecuniary power to assist her--he had
also the strongest inclination; but he
was at a loss how to employ either with
the delicacy that was due to her. No
doubts existed even in his mind of the
worth of the object who interested him,
for too many proofs presented themselves
that she was desolate and amiable.
I
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? SKETCHES OF YOtTTiV
CHAP. m.
In the evening, the apothecary^. as is
customary on the arrival of* a new resi-
dent, paid him a visit, in order to intro-
duce himself and his profession. Mr.
Blandrord led the conversation to Mrs.
Sydney, respecting whom he wished to
receive further information. "She is,"
said the honest Mr. Price, " an incom-
parable woman, and her children are like
flowers thrown in a desert, for who is
there here to mark their beauty, or know
their value? " "Mr. Sydney was a wor-
thy man? " said Mr. Blaudford, in an
accent of enquiry. "A better, Sir, ne-
ver existed; he was truly the shepherd
watching over his flock 5 if one strayed,
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? 40
ROSE AND EMILY; OR,
he gently led him back to his fold. When-
ever any petty dissentions disturbed the
harmony of his neighbours, he thought it
his duty to interfere, and never desisted
till he had reconciled them to each other.
He had but little for himself, but he had
always something to bestow upori the
poor and the stranger. As for Mrs. Syd-
ney, I can only say, she was wor-
thy the happiness of being his wife. "
"Had they not a son? " enquired Mr.
Blandford. "Ah, Sir, and such a one
as few parents are blessed with; I think
I see him now, blooming as a carnation,
and good as he was handsome; but,
blessed with such parents, it Avould have
been wonderful had he been otherwise.
When his father died, the whole parish
wept; but when news came that he also
was dead, I thought we should never see
a smiling face again. Dr. Blake has gi-
ven us a curate who thinks he does
enough for a parish of poor people if he
preaches one sermon in the week, some-
times omitting that; but I believe he
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? SKETCHES OF YOUTH. 41
works as he is paid :--he does not live
amongst us, and as he has other parishes
to attend to, he cannot be regular in his *
duty to any; but all this, Sir, makes us
the more lament the loss of Mr. Sydney. '
It is a great affliction to us to see his wi"
dow in so destitute a condition, and her
health declining. " "Can you do no-
thing for her, my good Sir? " said Mr.
Blandford. "Her disease," replied Mr.
Price, "does not come within the reach
of my art; I have no cure for grief; and
I fear she is unable to procure those
nutritious remedies which alone would
repair her constitution. I cannot recom-
mend Madeira and jellies to one who
has not the means of obtaining them;
neither is it in my power to supply her
with them. " "Will they be serviceable do
you think? " "I do not doubt it. " "Then,"
replied Mr. Blandford, "she shall have
them;"' and ringing the bell, ordered
Ruth, his servant, who was well skilled in
the culinary art, to prepare some jelly
In his retirement he had resolved to re-
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? 42
ROSE AND EM1XY; OR^
frain from wine, and with. the life, enjoy
only the simple food of a villager; he
had, therefore, no Madeira to give, but
dispatched a person to the next market
town for a few bottles, and requested.
Mr. Price would send them to Mrs. Syd-
ney as a remedy he thought requisite for
her health, and as a present from him. ^
self.
The bitterness of sensation which had
accompanied Mr. Blandford into the
country, the keen sense of mankind's
injustice and ingratitude, had yielded to
softer feelings since his departure from
the scene where he had experienced
them; anJ, relieved from the lethargic
dullness whnsh a mind, without any po-
sitive resource in itself, would probably
have sunk into, by the interesting situ-
ation of Mrs. Sydney's family, he began
to think there were some really amiable
beings in the universe, and that elegance
of mind might be combined with simpli-
city of manner.